Muscle & Fitness logo Muscle & Fitness

  • Workouts

    Workouts

    • Workout Routines
    • Workout Tips
    • Fitness
    • Athlete/Celebrity Workouts
    • Exercise Videos
    Find Exercises Targeting…
    • Abs and Core Exercises
    • Arm Exercises
    • Back Exercises
    • Chest Exercises
    • Leg Exercises
    • Shoulder Exercises
  • Nutrition

    Nutrition

    • Healthy Eating
    • Lose Fat
    • Gain Mass
    • Supplements
    • Performance Nutrition
    Female with a healthy gut health avoiding inflammation eating healthy non-processed foods recommended by a Gastroenterologist
    Healthy Eating

    Low Energy, Bloating, and Brain Fog? Your Gut Health Could Be the Reason...

    Korean side dish Kimchi holds nutritional benefits for gut health
    Healthy Eating

    What Science Says About the Immune-Boosting Power of Kimchi

    Scientist performing tests on processed foods and whole foods
    Healthy Eating

    Study Reveals Processed Foods Cause Overeating and Slow Fat Loss

    Various Healthy Post workout foods display in a heart shape bowl for
    Healthy Eating

    Best Post-Workout Foods for Muscle Recovery, Growth, and Heart Health

  • Athletes & Celebrities

    Athletes & Celebrities

    • News
    • Interviews
    • Women
    • Pro Tips
    • Behind-the-Scenes
    • Videos
    Shereen Pavlides in the kitchen
    Interviews

    How Shereen Pavlides Became The Internet’s Favorite Cooking Coach

    Brigadier General Maurice Barnett perofrming a deadlift
    Pro Tips

    Brigadier General Maurice Barnett Explains The Importance Of The ROTC Fo...

    David-Chokachi copy
    News

    'Baywatch' Reboot Cast 2026: Meet the New Lifeguards and Their Fitness S...

    Hugh Jackman performing a viral pullup challenge
    News

    Hugh Jackman’s Viral Pull-Up Challenge Is Harder Than It Looks

  • Features

    Features

    • From our Partners
    • Active Lifestyle
    • M&F: Fit to Serve
    • Gear
    • News
    • Opinion
    Chuck Norris
    News

    Action-Movie Icon Chuck Norris Has Died At Age 86

    Premier gym equipment
    From our Partners

    Fans Turn the Arnold Classic Expo Into a Training Ground

    Young man eating a late night meal before going to bed instead of practicing the 3 hour fast before sleep
    News

    This Simple Night Routine Could Lower Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar

    Heart healthy 48 hour oatmeal diet study and benefits
    News

    Doctors Say This Simple Breakfast Food May Lower Cholesterol Fast

  • Anti-Aging

    Anti-Aging

    • Functional Medicine
    • Hormone Optimization
    • Recovery
    • Wellness
    Human muscular fibers demonstrating the concept of musclespan in aging
    Wellness

    Why Musclespan Is The New Metric We Should Focus On

    Bradley Carden CEO of Solbasium red light therapy showing his red light device for recovery
    Recovery

    How Solbasium Put Red-Light Recovery on the Sidelines of the NFL

    Participants in the Unlimited Life biohacking retreat in the Amazon Rainforest
    Wellness

    5 Aging Lessons Learned from a Biohacking Retreat Deep in the Amazon

    Fit female using technology scan to biohack her health and fitness in 2026
    Wellness

    10 Biohacking Trends for 2026 to Keep On Your Radar Now

  • Flex

    Flex

    • Olympia Coverage
    • Athletes
    • Nutrition
    • Training
    • Videos
    The menace podcast covers the 2026 Detroit Pro
    News

    Are Distended Stomachs Ruining Bodybuilding? Experts Sound Off

    Men’s Physique competitor Burak King 2026 Turkey Pro plans
    News

    Burak King Reveals the Smartest Path to Olympia Qualification in 2026

    Simeon Panda performing his Shoulder Workout for massive delts
    Training

    Simeon Panda's 4-Move Shoulder Workout For Stronger Delts

    Sam Sulek at the 2026 Arnold Classic discussing his diet plan ahead of the Arnold UK 2026
    News

    Sam Sulek Reveals New Diet Strategy Ahead of the Arnold Classic UK

  • Hers

    Hers

    • Workouts
    • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Athletes & Celebrities
    • Features
    Tiffany Stratton
    Muscle & Fitness Hers

    Tiffany Stratton Is Prepping for Her Return to Another Stage

    Fitness influencer Katie “Liftz” Salerni showing her top glute exercises for a round butt
    Hers Workouts

    Katie Salerni Shares Her Favorite Bodyweight Glute Moves

    Make up artist Bruna Dallo
    Hers Athletes & Celebrities

    Makeup Artist is Turning Passions into Careers

    Holly Brooks founder of Strong Girl Society promoting healthy fitness and promoting scale ditching.
    Hers Features

    Why Holly Brooks Ditched the Scales to Focus On Being Stronger

  • Olympia

    Olympia

    • Olympia Coverage
    • Buy Tickets
    Caesar Bacarella performing a dumbbell workout with biceps curls
    Pro Tips

    Caesar Bacarella Is Building a Fitness Empire at Full Speed

    Olympia-2019-Whiteny-Jones-Press-Conference
    Interviews

    Whitney Jones Can Break, But Can Never Be Broken

    IFBB Wellness Pro Yarishna Ayala
    Interviews

    Yarishna Ayala Shares Advice for Future Wellness Division Competitors

    2021 Mr. Olympia Top 3 winners Brandon Curry, Big Ramy, Hadi Choopin
    News

    BIG RAMY WINS THE 2021 OLYMPIA!

Subscribe to YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Accessibility Statement Do Not Sell
  • Workouts
    • Workout Routines
    • Workout Tips
    • Fitness
    • Athlete/Celebrity Workouts
    • Exercise Videos
  • Nutrition
    • Healthy Eating
    • Lose Fat
    • Gain Mass
    • Supplements
    • Performance Nutrition
  • Athletes & Celebrities
    • News
    • Interviews
    • Women
    • Pro Tips
    • Behind-the-Scenes
    • Videos
  • Features
    • From our Partners
    • Active Lifestyle
    • M&F: Fit to Serve
    • Gear
    • News
    • Opinion
  • Anti-Aging
    • Functional Medicine
    • Hormone Optimization
    • Recovery
    • Wellness
  • Flex
    • Olympia Coverage
    • Athletes
    • Nutrition
    • Training
    • Videos
  • Hers
    • Workouts
    • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Athletes & Celebrities
    • Features
  • Olympia
    • Olympia Coverage
    • Buy Tickets
  • Resources & Highlights
    • Topics
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Do Not Sell

Stay Connected

Newsletter Signup

Stay up to date

Sign up below to receive our newest workout routines, recipes, news stories, and offers from our partners

Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest
Open menu button
Open search bar button
×

Search M&F

Featured Articles
Lean Muscle
Healthy Eating

28-Days-to-Lean Meal Plan

With the right plan and the right discipline, you can get seriously shredded in just 28 days.

Read article
Glamorous Hollywood actress in a black evening gown posing at a red carpet event, representing one of the hottest female celebrities in Hollywood
Women

The 25 Hottest Female Celebrities

Talented stars, killer physiques.

Read article
Bench press record holder Bill Gillespie breaking the world record at age 62
Pro Tips

The 'Dos' and 'Don’ts' of Bill Gillespie’s Record-Breaking Bench Press

At age 62, "Big Bill" shares his wisdom to dominate one of the ultimate strength marks.

Read article
The 50 Best Female Fitness Influencers on Instagram
Girls

The 50 Best Fitness Influencers on Instagram

Follow these fit women we're crushing on for inspiration, workout ideas, and motivation.

Read article
Active Lifestyle

5 Motivational Tips from Britain’s Smallest Bodybuilder

Choon Tan has a ripped physique, a small stature, and wisdom beyond his years.

by Gary Cotton
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
choon-tan-content
https://instagram.com/imchoontan/
View Gallery

5 Motivational Tips from Britain’s Smallest Bodybuilder

Close gallery popup button
1 OF 6

1 of 6

choon-tan-content

https://instagram.com/imchoontan/

Tan’s the Man

There’s plenty we could say about Choon Tan. At just 21 years old he’s become a sponsored athlete, a viral fitness sensation, and Britain’s smallest professional bodybuilder. The Chichester Observer reports that Tan, who is 4′ 10″ was often bullied as a kid because of his size (Tan’s small stature is due to a rare condition he has called x-linked spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda). His answer? Hit the gym.As if that weren’t enough inspiration, his Instagram account has some sage advice we could all use.

2 of 6

Choon-Tan-show-pose-abs

https://instagram.com/imchoontan/

No. 5: Surround Yourself With Motivators

“[Three] completely different individuals showing you the results from years of hard work and perseverance,” Tan says in a post. “Always surround yourself with people who will inspire and motivate you…”

3 of 6

Choon-Tan-Pose-2

https://instagram.com/imchoontan/

No. 4: Stay Driven

“My life is always about progress and determination,” Tan says. “Never stop trying to be the best you can be. And when times get tough, use that as your drive.”
<

4 of 6

Choon-Tan-Abs

https://instagram.com/imchoontan/

No. 3: Don’t Get Comfortable

“I just stop talking and take action and I’m living my dreams,” Tan says. “Break your comfort zones whatever it takes. And remember, actions speak louder than words.”
<

5 of 6

choon-tan-pose-3

https://instagram.com/imchoontan/

No. 2: Be Your Best

“Be the best version of yourself physically and mentally, never settle for anything less.”

6 of 6

Choon-Tan-Pose-1

https://instagram.com/imchoontan/

No. 1: Mix it Up

“[Get] out, meet new people learn new things, travel to new places. You’ll never grow if you constantly do the same thing.”

Back to intro

Tan's the Man

There’s plenty we could say about Choon Tan. 

At just 21 years old he’s become a sponsored athlete, a viral fitness sensation, and Britain’s smallest professional bodybuilder. The Chichester Observer reports that Tan, who is 4′ 10″ was often bullied as a kid because of his size (Tan’s small stature is due to a rare condition he has called x-linked spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda). His answer? Hit the gym.

As if that weren’t enough inspiration, his Instagram account has some sage advice we could all use.

No. 5: Surround Yourself With Motivators

“[Three] completely different individuals showing you the results from years of hard work and perseverance,” Tan says in a post. “Always surround yourself with people who will inspire and motivate you…”

No. 4: Stay Driven

“My life is always about progress and determination,” Tan says. “Never stop trying to be the best you can be. And when times get tough, use that as your drive.”

No. 3: Don't Get Comfortable

“I just stop talking and take action and I’m living my dreams,” Tan says. “Break your comfort zones whatever it takes. And remember, actions speak louder than words.”

No. 2: Be Your Best

“Be the best version of yourself physically and mentally, never settle for anything less.”

No. 1: Mix it Up

“[Get] out, meet new people learn new things, travel to new places. You’ll never grow if you constantly do the same thing.”

Topics:
  • Bodybuilders
  • Entertainment
  • Inspiration
Author picture
Written by Gary Cotton
Also by Gary Cotton
conor-cristiano
News

McGregor, Ronaldo Go One-On-One

TEST: Mark Barroso's Mass Plan
News

CBS feels the 'Pump,' Acquires Arnold's TV Series

Newsletter Signup

Stay up to date

Sign up below to receive our newest workout routines, recipes, news stories, and offers from our partners

Muscle & Fitness logo

Follow us

Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest

More news

Skiier falling down the ski slope due to an accident from a skiing injuries
Active Lifestyle

Injury Prevention Tips for Conquering the Slopes

Elevate your ski game and decrease your chance of injury with these pro tips.

Read article
Fit female competitors performing sled pulls in a Hyrox competition
Active Lifestyle

Thinking About Trying Hyrox? Here's Why You Should

Watch out CrossFit, there’s a new fitness kid on the block.

Read article
A group of pickleball players playing a round of doubles on the pickleball court
Active Lifestyle

Learn The Best Ways to Get Started Playing Pickleball

Use this how-to guide as a primer for playing the fastest-growing sport in America.

Read article
All Active Lifestyle
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Features
  4. /
  5. Active Lifestyle
  6. /
  7. 5 Motivational Tips from Britain’s Smallest Bodybuilder
Muscle & Fitness logo
  • Workouts
  • Nutrition
  • Athletes & Celebrities
  • Features
  • Recipes
  • Topics
  • Videos
  • Exercise Videos
  • Podcasts
  • RSS Feed
  • Buy Olympia Tickets
  • Archives
  • Sitemap
Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest

Newsletter Signup

Stay up to date

Sign up below to receive our newest workout routines, recipes, news stories, and offers from our partners

JW Media, LLC

Copyright 2026 JW Media, LLC, parent company of Muscle & Fitness. All rights reserved.

Contact Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Do Not Sell Accessibility Statement